Traveling from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF): What you need to know
Begin planning your trip by looking up the most convenient departure point for your flight from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF). Explore the options for setting off from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), two of the city's main airports.
Expect to be in the air for 1 hour 20 minutes. That's the average duration of a direct Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport flight.
Buffalo (where Buffalo Niagara International Airport is located) and Washington DC share the UTC-4 timezone. You can plan your trip without factoring in timezone differences.
With 25 direct flights a week between the two airports, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is the busiest route. American Airlines operates the earliest flight at 9:59am. If you'd like to make the most of your day before leaving, the latest flight from DCA to BUF is with American Airlines at 10:40pm.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your flight from Washington DC to BUF. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
In peak travel periods, expect extended wait times and be there earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and as much as four hours for international trips.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Fly without interruptions from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). Direct flights from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) are available from here.
When leaving from DCA, you can catch a direct flight from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport with American Airlines.
Most passengers prefer to book seats with American Airlines between DCA and BUF.
With 66.49% of services landing on schedule, American Airlines is the top on-time carrier on this route.
Located around 5 miles from central Washington DC, DCA can be reached in about 15 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport? Avoid the mad dash to the terminal (and sneak in some bonus sleep) by choosing one of these stays near Ronald Reagan National Airport:
76.44% of flights that take off from Ronald Reagan National Airport reach their destination on time.
The address for DCA is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
You can book a direct Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) plane ticket out of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). See if flying from IAD works better for your plans.
From IAD, direct flights from Washington DC to BUF can be booked with United Airlines.
United Airlines is the go-to airline for bookings on the IAD to BUF route.
The top on-time carrier is United Airlines. Its Washington Dulles International Airport to Buffalo Niagara International Airport flights land without delay 72.08% of the time.
IAD is around 35 miles from central Washington DC. It'll take you 50 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city center. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Kick off your vacation early with an extra night away from home. Before your Washington DC to BUF flight, unwind in one of these hotels close to Washington Dulles International Airport:
74.39% of flights departing Washington Dulles International Airport arrive according to schedule.
The address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Start your journey at Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and go straight to your destination without any layovers. You can book direct flights from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport from here.
Fly out of BWI with Southwest Airlines. This well-known airline offers direct Washington DC to BUF plane tickets.
The majority of travelers choose to fly with Southwest Airlines from BWI to BUF.
The carrier with the best on-time performance on this route is Southwest Airlines. Its services land without delay 77.15% of the time.
The journey time to BWI from central Washington DC is around 1 hour 30 minutes by public transport. If you're going by car, it'll take you about 50 minutes to cover the 30 miles or so.
Make catching an early Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport flight the easiest part of your trip. Book a room at one of these hotels close to Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and get to your check-in counter without rushing:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that tracks how often flights arrive at their destinations without delays. At BWI, that rate is 77.13%.
About Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
Have a late flight from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport? Don't let your travel day stretch into tomorrow. Stay at one of these hotels near BUF and turn out the lights sooner:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Buffalo Niagara International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Hertz or Budget and explore beyond Buffalo's usual tourist stops.
To get the lowest price, reserve your ride around two weeks in advance of your Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport flight.
You'll find BUF at Genesee Street.
Getting from Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) to central Buffalo
Buffalo Niagara International Airport to the center of Buffalo is roughly 8 miles. If you're renting a car or taking a cab, do a little research to make your trip as easy as possible. Journey times will vary based on traffic conditions and the time of day.
Traveling on public transport takes around 1 hour 15 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
$52 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. A return flight starts from $122. These fares may change based on availability.
Book two months before you want to travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Washington DC to BUF.
The best month for scoring cheap Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport tickets is July. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates that offer the lowest fares.
You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a better deal is available on plane tickets from Washington DC to BUF.
Uncover a great deal on a flight from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
The best time to fly from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
May is the quietest month for flights from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), while August is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to go to Buffalo based on whether you want a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your Washington DC to BUF plane ticket, consider what kind of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in Buffalo, with temperatures ranging from 59ºF to 82ºF.
January has temperatures of between 14ºF and 36ºF. Look for cheap tickets from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Buffalo
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Buffalo right here. Browse these options after you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Buffalo Niagara International Airport:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be hard to know where to begin. Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D. Martin House Complex, Albright-Knox Art Gallery and Forest Lawn are popular attractions which should be on any well-planned Buffalo itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Cleveland is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be discovered once you've seen Buffalo. Around 180 miles away to the south-west, check out popular attractions including Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art and Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Around 180 miles south of Buffalo, Pittsburgh is another favorite stop in the United States. Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Museum of Art and The Frick Pittsburgh.